Max blew a puff of air upward, sending his overly long locks flying. “A haircut is on my list for today.”
“I could braid it to keep it out of your eyes.”
“Baby, do you know how many pushups I’d have to do if I show up on base with braided hair?” Max shook his head, not even wanting to imagine the effort.
Her fingers stroked over his biceps. “I think you already do enough exercise now.”
He wrapped his hand around the back of her head and pulled her lips down to meet his. Kissing her softly, Max treasured this quiet moment with Saylor. “I love you, baby.”
“I love you too, Daddy,” she answered quietly, tangling her fingers in his chest hair. She tugged softly. “I love my nursery.”
“Had you explored the room before?”
“No. I figured it was an office or a workout room. The mermaid almost made me cry. You’re making it an underwater haven, aren’t you?”
“Haven. I like that term. Your nursery should be the place where you can be yourself more than anywhere else. When you mentioned how much you love to scuba dive, I thought you might enjoy that theme.”
“I’ve seen Brooklyn’s. Even before she told me you’d created the characters, I loved them. I haven’t seen that side of your talent before.”
“Turning classmates into naked cartoon characters wouldn’t have pleased you, baby,” he teased.
“You’re right. I was suspicious of you in the beginning. I don’t get a lot of military guys in a nude figure drawing class who actually have enrolled to learn and practice.”
“Thank you for giving me a chance,” he said softly.
“You took care of me when I needed you. Very few men would concern themselves with someone with…” She swallowed hard before finishing, “With trauma.”
“Are you thinking about talking to someone?”
“I have an appointment today. Will you go with me? Do you have to report to the base?”
“I will go sit in the waiting room if you’ll come to the base with me afterward to get a haircut and sign some paperwork?”
“I don’t have to get a buzz cut, do I?” she asked, laughing.
“I love your hair.” He tangled his fingers in her silky blonde hair and drew it to his nose. “I don’t sleep well after a mission. Relaxing my guard usually takes a few nights. Each time I jerked awake to check on the team’s safety, I could smell your shampoo. I knew I was home with you.”
Tears welled in her eyes. He brushed away one that cascaded down her cheek. “Thank you for being here. When you didn’t answer, I worried.”
“I’m sorry. I was involved in adding to your decorations.”
“You were. I’m sorry, I was focused on you and didn’t look. What did you draw?” he asked, loving the faint blush on her cheeks.
“You made me a mermaid, so I made you a merman,” she said proudly.
“Did you give me a big codpiece?” he teased.
“Daddy! I didn’t draw that!”
“I’ll add some shading when I paint it.”
“Maybe I should take care of enhancements?”
“I’ll let you do that.” Max’s stomach growled loudly.
“Oh, my God. I hope you ate more than you showered!”
“We stayed fueled, baby. I am ready to chew on my boot if I don’t get some food. How about if I scramble some eggs for us?”
